Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-29

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

People should never eat meat because raising animals for human consumption is cruel.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 8.0)

The claim that people should never eat meat because raising animals for human consumption is cruel is a controversial one. While I agree that some methods of raising and slaughtering animals can cause unnecessary suffering, I do not believe that eating meat should be completely prohibited. I largely disagree with the opinion because animal welfare can be improved through responsible farming practices, and meat can form part of a balanced diet.

First, there is no doubt that intensive animal farming can involve significant cruelty. In some large-scale farms, animals may be kept in overcrowded conditions with limited access to fresh air or natural environments. They may also be transported over long distances before being slaughtered. Such conditions can cause considerable stress and suffering. For example, chickens and pigs raised in intensive farming systems may have very little space to move freely. In my view, these practices should be subject to strict regulations to ensure that animals are treated humanely.

However, it does not necessarily follow that people should stop eating meat altogether. Animals can be raised in environments where their basic needs are met and where unnecessary suffering is minimized. Free-range farming and higher animal-welfare standards, for instance, can provide animals with more space and better living conditions. In addition, modern slaughtering methods can be designed to minimize pain. Therefore, the ethical problem is not simply the consumption of meat itself, but also the way animals are raised and treated.

Another reason why I disagree with a complete ban on meat is that meat provides important nutrients, including high-quality protein, iron and vitamin B12. Although these nutrients can also be obtained from plant-based foods and supplements, meat can be a convenient source of them, particularly for people whose diets or circumstances make alternatives less practical. Consequently, allowing people to make informed dietary choices may be more reasonable than insisting that everyone follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.

In conclusion, I agree that cruelty towards animals is a serious concern and that irresponsible farming practices should be reduced. Nevertheless, I disagree that people should never eat meat. A more balanced approach would be to promote higher animal-welfare standards, reduce unnecessary suffering and encourage consumers to make responsible choices about the meat they purchase.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The student has fully addressed all parts of the task by clearly stating their position from the introduction and maintaining it throughout the essay. The prompt asks whether people should never eat meat because raising animals is cruel, and the writer provides a well-developed response arguing that while cruel farming methods exist, they can be regulated and meat consumption is still acceptable due to nutritional benefits. Ideas are extended and supported with relevant explanations and examples, such as mentioning intensive farming conditions like overcrowding and contrasting them with free-range practices. The response fulfills all requirements of the task response criterion at a Band 7.5 or Band 8 level, demonstrating clear logical development.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The essay displays clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with the introduction of the writer's stance, moving to the acknowledgement of farming cruelty, then exploring alternatives like free-range farming, followed by nutritional aspects, and concluding effectively. Cohesive devices such as 'First', 'However', 'In addition', and 'Consequently' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used skillfully and purposefully, making the structure of the essay easy to follow. The progression of ideas is smooth and logical, matching the Band 8 descriptors well.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an IELTS General Training Task 2 essay. Less common items and collocations are used effectively throughout the text, such as 'intensive animal farming', 'unnecessary suffering', 'plant-based foods', and 'informed dietary choices'. Word choice is generally precise, and there are only occasional inaccuracies or awkward phrasings. Spelling and word formation are entirely accurate. The lexical range easily satisfies the Band 7 criteria and edges close to Band 8 due to the natural integration of topic-specific terminology.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.5

The writer employs a wide range of complex sentence structures with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, and control over grammar and punctuation is strong. Examples of complex structures include conditional clauses and concessive clauses, such as 'Although these nutrients can also be obtained from plant-based foods and supplements, meat can be a convenient source of them...' Punctuation is used correctly to demarcate clauses and items in lists. The grammatical control shown throughout the text firmly aligns with the Band 8 descriptors, displaying only very occasional minor slips or limitations.

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